Mail-box signal.



H. U. FLETUHER.

MAIL BOX SIGNAL. APPLIOATIOH :11.211 1111:, 1908.

Patented Mar. 23. 1909.

Witnesses I MIL?" rue NORRIS PETERS co. wnsumflm". n4 :4

UNITED STATES HORACE O. FLETCHER,

or ROCK CREEK, OHIO.

MAIL-BOX SIGNAL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE C. FLETCHER, citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Creek, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in. Mail-Box Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an in1- proved signal which is designed to be employed in connection with mail boxes such as are utilized on rural free delivery routes to indicate whether or not mail has been deposited in the box.

The object of the invention is the provi sion of a signal device of this character which will be automatically set in an operative position when the box is open and which is so constructed that it can not be blown into an inoperative osition by the wind or otherwise accidenta .y displaced previous to the removal of the mail.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail box provided with a signal embodying the invention, the box being closed and the signal being locked in an operative position. Fig. 2 is an end view of the box with the cover thereof swung upwardly into an open position; Fig. 3 is a similar view, the box being closed and the signal plate being swung downwardly into an inoperative position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a mail box which may be of any suitable construction and is designed to be supported by a post or like member. This box is provided with a swinging closure 2 which is hinged to the back of the box as indicated at 3. Pivotally mounted upon one end of the box is a signal plate 4 which may be swung upwardly into an operative position so as to project above the box or downwardly into an inoperative position; A flange 5 projects from the signal plate 4 at right angles thereto and this flange renders the signal plainly visible from all directions.

A pair of links 6 connect the signal plate to Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 12, 1908.

. Patented March as, 1909.

Serial No. 415,614.

the swinging closure 2, the links being pivoted to each other at 7 and one of the links being )ivoted to the cover at 8 while the opposite ink is pivoted to the signal plate at 9. When the cover is swung upwardly to open the box the links 6 serve to move the signal plate in an operative position, a stop pin 10 being provided for limiting the movement of thesignal plate. When the cover 2 to the box is closed the links 6 are doubled upon themselves and a spring member 11 upon the cover frictionally engages the signal plate to retain it in an operative position. When the mail has been removed from the box the signal plate is swung downwardly into an inoperative position, the stop pin 10 serving to limit the downward swinging movement of the signal plate so as to prevent the production of a dead center between the links and the signal plate. It will thus be obvious that with the present construction the signal plate will be automatically moved into an operative position when the box is opened to deposit mail therein, and will be securely held in such position by the spring member so that it cannot be accidentally displaced or moved into an inoperative position previous to the removal of the mail.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

i 1. The combination of a mail box, a swinging closure for the mail box, a signal plate pivotally mounted upon one side of the mail box, a pair of links pivotally connected to each other, one of the links being connected tothe closure while the opposite link is connected to the signal plate and the said links serving to move the signal plate into an operative position when the closure is opened, and means for holding the signal plate in an operative position.

2. The combination of a mail box, a swing ing closure for the mail box, a signal plate pivotally mounted upon one side of the mail box, a stop for limiting the movement of the signal plate, aspring member upon the closure for engaging the signal plate to hold it in an operative position, and a pair of pivotally connected links connecting the signal plate and the closure for moving the latter into an operative position when the box is opened.

3. The combination of a mail box a swinging closurefor the mail box, a signal plate pivotally mounted upon one side of the mail 1 box, a pair of pivotally connected links conneoting the closure and the signal plate for for frictionally engaging the signal plate to moving the latter into an operative position hold it in an operative position. 10 When the boX is opened, a stop limiting both In testimony whereof I aflix my signature the u ward and downward movement of the in presence of two witnesses.

5 signa plate and preventing the signal plate HORACE C. FLETCHER. [1. a] from being swung into such a position as to itnesses: produce a dead center with respect to the C. D. ADAMS.

nks, and a spring member upon the closure 1 ANNA AMIDO N. 

